VA celebrates Volunteer Week

By ALLISON CRYER

Daily News Staff Writer

April 21 through 27 is National Volunteer Week and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is using the opportunity to thank nearly 84,000 citizen volunteers who give back to Veterans every day at local VA medical facilities.

The Alexandria VA Health Care System (AVAHCS), which includes clinics in Fort Polk, Jennings, Lafayette, Lake Charles and Natchitoches, recognized more than 500 volunteers for the 31,761 hours they contributed toward caring for Veterans, driving, directing, sitting, serving, comforting and counseling on a regular basis at a recognition luncheon on April 22.